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Ria hates New York. She misses her friends, and the warm Puerto Rican sun; most of all she misses the animals she left behind. Then, one day, Ria's neighbor Mrs. Blum takes her on a surprise trip: to a big cathedral-it's the festival of St. Francis Day, when everyone brings their pets to be blessed! At first, Ria is disappointed. She doesn't have a pet of her own for blessing. But a mishap with a ... More

Ria hates New York. She misses her friends, and the warm Puerto Rican sun; most of all she misses the animals she left behind. Then, one day, Ria's neighbor Mrs. Blum takes her on a surprise trip: to a big cathedral-it's the festival of St. Francis Day, when everyone brings their pets to be blessed! At first, Ria is disappointed. She doesn't have a pet of her own for blessing. But a mishap with a mischievous duck leads to Ria being asked to join the magnificent Procession of Animals, right into the church! With Groucho the duck in her arms as she dances with elephants and turtles, snakes and dogs, Ria begins to realize that she's not so far from home after all.

This story of a special New York tradition has universal appeal for animal lovers of all ages, everywhere.

Illustrated by Loren Long.

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